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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
<div align="center"><h1><b>National Federation of the Blind Statement on
Delta’s New Service Animal Policy</b></h1></div>
<br><br>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland: (January 23, 2018):</b> The National Federation
of the Blind stated the following with regard to the new service and
support animal policy announced by Delta Air Lines on January
19:<br><br>
We are deeply concerned that Delta Air Lines has taken this action
without consulting the National Federation of the Blind, our division the
National Association of Guide Dog Users, or any other democratically
elected representative of blind Americans. Blind people have safely and
successfully used guide dogs for decades, but this policy fails to make a
clear or practical distinction among guide dogs, other “service and
support animals” (as Delta puts it), and pets. Onerous restrictions on
guide dog handlers do not resolve anything and violate the principle of
equal access for passengers with disabilities. Furthermore, we believe
that elements of Delta’s policy, as currently articulated, violate the
Air Carrier Access Act.<br><br>
We are particularly troubled by the requirement that guide dog users
submit paperwork to Delta forty-eight hours before flying. Travelers
without guide dogs are not required to plan their travel forty-eight
hours in advance. Furthermore, guide dog users will no longer be able to
fly Delta in family, medical, or other emergencies. We believe that this
forty-eight hour requirement is both unnecessary and unlawful.<br><br>
We are asking for an urgent meeting with Delta and stand ready to work
with it and other airlines to craft fair and reasonable policies to
address the concerns of air carriers, their personnel, and their
passengers, without imposing undue, unsupported, and unlawful hardships
on guide dog users.<br><br>
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<b>About the National Federation of the Blind <br><br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in
Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind
Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and
divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB
defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information
and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are
losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind
people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about
our many programs and initiatives at
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10066&qid=2124537">
www.nfb.org</a>.<br><br>
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<b>CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br><br>
Director of Public Relations<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><br>
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<b>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | (410) 659-9314</b><br>
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